Breakdown shooting target

ABSTRACT

A hand assembleable target stand formed by generally elongated frame members joined together into a generally planar target mounting assembly through connector units which define the corners of the assembled frame member. The target mounting assembly is hand assembleable to base units which, when assembled, project generally normal to the plane of the target mounting assembly. A disposable target is provided with stiffening members at its outer opposed margins. The stiffening members are adapted to being clamped to the target mounting assembly so as to hold the disposable target assembled with the target stand. In the disassembled configuration the target stand and the disposable target form a very compact package which is easily transported by one person, and stored in a very small volume. The base unit may be a remote controlled, self propelled mobile unit, if desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to shooting targets and, in particular,to rugged, stationary and mobile shooting targets which may be easilybroken down for transportation and storage, and assembled with thetarget in more than one configuration.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Previous expedients have included immobile shooting targets which werenot durable (for example, Hamilton U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,492, and TrachetU.S. Pat. Des. No. 333,683, with a PVC frame which shatters when hit bya bullet and does not breakdown for transportation and storage), wereheavy, did not breakdown into easily portable segments, were expensiveto manufacture, and required tools to assemble (for example, BatemanU.S. Pat. No. 5,277,432), were constructed of wood and did not breakdowninto easily portable segments (for example, Hand U.S. Pat. No.3,415,519), or did not breakdown into easily portable segments (forexample, Scholem U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,925). Further, previous expedientsgenerally did not provide mobile self propelled and self powered, remotecontrolled targets. Also, previous expedients generally did not provideoptional configurations utilizing the same components, for example, bothhigh and low profile targets.

These and other difficulties of the prior art have been overcomeaccording to the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the shooting target stand according to thepresent invention comprises a generally planar target mounting assemblymounted on at least one base unit. The target mounting assembly isgenerally hand assembleable from individual components which, in thedisassembled form, including the target itself, are lightweight and verycompact. The target mounting assembly is generally hand assembleable toat least one base unit which is adapted to support the assembly in agenerally upright position. The assembly, even though hand assembleable,is rigid and durable. The target mounting assembly generally providesalternative high and low profiles, just by selecting which components tocombine.

The target supporting assembly generally includes at least one framemember, at least two connecting units, and at least one target mountingmember. For a high profile target supporting assembly, the assemblypreferably includes at least four frame members, four connector units,and two target mounting members. According to one preferred embodiment,the connector units are separate components which assemble together withthe frame members by means of slip fit joints. As will be understood bythose skilled in the art, the connector units may be integral, in wholeor in part, with the frame members, so long as the assembly can bebroken down into components which, when bundled together in thedisassembled form, comprise a compact package. The target mountingmembers are generally positioned on either side of the assembled targetsupporting assembly, and serve to clamp the unfolded target to theassembly in the desired high or low profile.

The target itself is disposable, and is foldable along fold lines whichprovide a compact component of a size and configuration which iscompatible and generally approximately co-extensive with the size andconfiguration of the disassembled target support assembly. In generalthe target includes some panels which in the unfolded configurationdefine the target area, and some reinforcing members which generallyhold the target to the support assembly in its unfolded configuration.In general, the edges of the target panels are attached, for example, bystapling, to lath or other disposable straight reinforcing members. Thelath are then clamped by the target mounting members to the assembly.The mounting of the assembly to the base units completes theconstruction of the target stand.

The base units include both stationary and mobile supports. The baseunits generally include elongated elements which project generallylaterally, for example, normal, to the plane of the target. The targetis thus supported in a generally upright position. For improvedstability, the elongated feet elements in a pair of base units extendgenerally on both sides of the target, but for different distances.Thus, for example, the elongated element in one base unit may projecttwice as far from the plane of the target element on the first side ofthe target stand as on the second side. The configuration can bereversed for the other base unit so that the second elongated elementextends twice as far from the second side of the target element as itdoes from the first side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring particularly to the drawings for the purposes of illustrationand not limitation:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention showing a target stand configured for a high profile target.

FIG. 2 is a broken cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1showing a connector unit at a corner of the target stand.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of an additional embodiment of aconnector unit.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a further embodiment of aconnector unit.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of this inventionshowing a target stand configured for a low profile target.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is front elevational view of the target stand of FIG. 5 showing adisposable target mounted in a low profile configuration.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the target stand of FIG. 1 showinga disposable target mounted in a high profile configuration.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a disposable target.

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a low profile target stand anddisposable target mounted on a mobile base unit according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a partial side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring particularly to the drawings, where the same reference numbersare used in different Figures for similar features, there is illustratedgenerally at 10 a hand assembleable target stand. In the preferredembodiment which has been selected for purposes of illustration, baseunits 12 and 14 include elongated feet elements 16 and 18, respectively.Normally horizontal frame members 20 and 22, together with normallyvertical frame members 24 and 26, define a generally planar rectangularframe. The respective frame members are assembled together throughconnecting units 28, 30, 32, and 34. As illustrated, for example, inFIG. 2, the frame members are conveniently assembled together throughslip fit socketing with a connecting unit.

The elongated feet elements 16 and 18, in the assembled configurationproject generally normal to the plane defined by the target mountingassembly. Stability is achieved by reason of several different features.The elongated feet elements generally are not disposed symmetricallywith respect to the plane of the target mounting assembly, for example,one preferably projects further than the other on opposite sides of thetarget mounting assembly. See, for example, FIG. 6. Holes, for example,52, can be provided for anchoring the elongated feet elements to asupporting substrate. Generally, the elongated feet elements areassembled to the target stand through slip fit joints with theconnecting units.

The connecting units, according to one preferred embodiment, form thecorners of the target stand, and are separable from the generallyelongated frame members. As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 3 and 4,the connecting units 36 and 38, which define the corners of the frame,may be integral with one of the frame members so long as they do notprevent the frame from being broken down into a compact, easilytransportable package. In general, it has been found that the provisionof the preferred separate connecting units facilitates the easyselection and assembly of either a high or low profile target stand fromthe same elements.

The frame members are generally round and tubular, however, generallyrectangular or solid members, or frame members of other configurationsmay be used, if desired. Generally rectangular frames with four sidesare conveniently assembled, however, as will be understood by thoseskilled in the art, other frame shapes such as triangular, pentagonal,hexagonal, or the like, may be used, if desired. In general, the framesmembers define a generally planar target mounting assembly. The framemembers in low profile target mounting assemblies may only define, forexample, three of the four sides of a rectangular target mountingassembly.

The target mounting assembly preferably includes target mounting members40 and 42, by means of which a disposable target, indicated generally at44, can be mounted to the target stand 10. The target mounting members40 and 42 include, for example, thumbscrews 46 and 48, respectively,threadably mounted in a bracket so as to bear threadably against an edgeof the disposable target 44. The opposed edges of the disposable targetare thus conveniently trapped between the respective thumb screws andthe adjacent structure of the target mounting assembly, for example, theadjacent connecting units.

Disposable target 44 is constructed, for example from disposablecardboard target panels 50, 54 and 56. See, for example, FIGS. 8, 9 and10. These target panels are mounted at their outer margins, for example,to disposable wooden or plastic strips, 58 and 60. These strips arerigid so that they hold the panels in the desired planar configuration.The target panels are fastened to the reinforcing members 58 and 60 bystaples, adhesive, or the like.

Generally, the target panels are assembled to the reinforcing members atthe site of use, and are disposed of after use. They are preferably nottransported or stored in the assembled configuration. The smaller panels54 and 56 generally serve to reinforce the assembled target panel. Theface or front panel 50 is preferably presented to the shooter. The largepanel 50 is preferably provided with fold lines 62 and 64 so that it maybe folded down into a relatively compact package.

A mobile base unit, indicated generally at 66, comprises a generallybullet proof shroud 68, a conventional propulsion unit and power sourcewithin the shroud (not shown), and sensor unit 70 which is adapted toreceive control instructions from a remote source. See, for example,FIGS. 11 and 12. The mobile unit 66 is adapted to carry a target stand,for example, the target stand of the present invention, along an erraticcourse at varying rates of speeds according to the directions of aremotely located operator.

Mobile unit 66 is remotely controlled and self propelled. Preferably thepower source for the mobile unit is a battery which is contained withinthe shroud. Preferably, there are no wires trailing the mobile unit.Being exposed to live fire, such trailing wires tend to become damaged.Thus, the propulsion is preferably completely self contained, and theremote control is provided by radio transmission or the like. Ifdesired, the mobile base unit may be pre-programed to follow aparticular pre-defined path so that the remote control is provided priorto the launch of the mobile base rather than while it is in motion.

In the embodiment chosen for illustration, mobile unit 66 is shown withwheels. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, treads, andthe like, could also be employed, if desired. The wheels are somewhatexposed to bullets, so they are preferably composed of steel, or thelike. Steering may be provided by differential drive on the wheels, orby conventional steering linkages, or the like.

Both for purposes of compactness and protection of the device, themobile base unit preferably has a generally low profile and a footprintwhich is approximately the same as that of the stationary embodiment.This permits the mobile base unit to be transported and stored in arelatively small package. When coupled with the hand disassemblabletarget stand of the present invention, a very sophisticated targetsystem can be easily transported by one person, and stored in a verysmall volume.

The target stand according to the present invention can be quicklyassembled and disassembled by hand without the aid of any tools. Whendisassembled, the target stand is preferably composed of elongatedmembers which are generally no more than approximately 2 feet in length,some of which have short projections or stubs extending laterallythereof for approximately 2 inches. According to one preferredembodiment, the components of the target stand are all assembledtogether through slip fit joints. According to one preferred embodiment,the entire target stand disassembles into a bundle of loose elongatedcomponents approximately 6 inches in diameter and 2 feet long. Thecomponents of the disposable target are likewise very compact,particularly when face panel 50 is folded along fold lines 62 and 64.

What has been described are preferred embodiments in which modificationsand changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A target stand comprising:a generally planartarget mounting assembly having at least two corners, said generallyplanar target mounting assembly including at least one generallyelongated frame member, a plurality of connecting units, and two targetmounting members, said target mounting members being disposed generallyon opposed edges of said generally planar target mounting assembly, anda disposable target, said disposable target including a generally planartarget panel and a pair of reinforcing members disposed on generallyopposed edges of said planar target panel, said disposable target beingadapted to being mounted to said generally planar target mountingassembly by said target mounting members releasably engaging with saidreinforcing members, said generally elongated frame member and saidconnecting units defining therebetween male and female elements to formgenerally rigid, hand releasable slip fit socketed joints, saidgenerally planar target mounting assembly being adapted to beingreleasably assembled from said connecting units, frame member and targetmounting member by mating said male and female elements together, saidcorners being formed by said connecting units; and at least onegenerally T-shaped base unit including a slip fit joint element definingthe leg of said T-shape, and adapted to support said generally planartarget mounting assembly in a generally upright position through a slipfit socketed joint with at least one of said connecting units.
 2. Thetarget stand of claim 1 wherein said generally planar target panelcomprises at least two panes joined along a fold and adapted to beingcompacted by being folded along said fold into a generally planarpackage, said generally planar target panel being adapted to being heldin an unfolded configuration by said reinforcing members.
 3. The targetstand of claim 1 wherein said generally T-shaped base unit(s) furthercomprise a remote controlled self propelled mobile unit.
 4. The targetstand of claim 3 wherein said target stand is adapted to beingreleasably mounted to said mobile unit in a generally upright positionthrough at least one hand releasable slip fit socketed joint with a saidconnecting unit.
 5. A target stand comprising:a generally planar targetmounting assembly having at least two generally square corners, saidgenerally planar target mounting assembly including at least onegenerally elongated frame member having two ends, each end of saidgenerally elongated frame member including a female frame slip fit jointmember, at least two connecting units, and at least one target mountingmember, said corners being formed by said connecting units, each of saidconnecting units including at least two male connecting slip fit jointmembers, each of said connecting slip fit joint members being adapted tomate with a frame slip fit joint member, whereby said connecting unitsare adapted to being hand releasably assembled to said frame memberthrough said respective slip joint members to form said generally planartarget mounting assembly, said target mounting member being mounted onone of said connecting units; and at least two generally T-shaped baseunits, each of said generally T-shaped base units including an elongatedfoot element adapted to extend generally parallel with a supportingsurface and to support said generally planar target mounting assembly ina generally upright position from a location intermediate the ends ofsaid elongated foot element through a releasable slip fit socketed jointwith one of said connecting units, said elongated foot elements beingadapted to rest on a generally flat surface, and to project generallynormal to said generally planar target mounting assembly, and saidelongated foot elements being adapted to project for different distancesfrom said generally planar target mounting assembly.
 6. The target standof claim 5 wherein said generally T-shaped base units further comprise aremote controlled self propelled mobile unit.
 7. The target stand ofclaim 6 wherein said target stand is adapted to being releasably mountedto said mobile unit in a generally upright position through at least onehand releasable slip fit socketed joint with a said connecting unit.